Senior Leadership Development Specialist

East-West Center•Honolulu, HI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The East-West Center (EWC) is seeking a Senior Leadership Development Specialist to join its Leadership Program within the Professional Development team. This role is responsible for the design, coordination, facilitation, and implementation of cohort-based professional development programs. The specialist will work collaboratively with program operations staff, colleagues, and key stakeholders to develop and deliver engaging, regionally relevant learning experiences aligned with organizational objectives. This includes curriculum development, experiential learning design, partnership coordination, evaluation, and continuous program improvement to ensure high-quality participant experiences.

Requirements

Master’s degree and at least four (4) years of program facilitation or teaching experience in leadership or professional development in U.S. or Asia-Pacific contexts (in the region and/or with participants from the region); or a combination of post-high school education, training, and directly-related experience which totals, at minimum, 11 years demonstrating the ability to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Work experience should demonstrate a skilled capacity to design, deliver, monitor, and evaluate leadership and professional development programs.
Possess appropriate cultural competencies with individuals and groups from the United States and the Asia-Pacific, as well as mixed groups with diverse representations and social identities.
Strong written and verbal English communication skills for engaging with participants, colleagues, and guest speakers across diverse cultures.
Proven experience designing and delivering leadership development programs, particularly in immersive, residential, or cross-cultural settings.
Knowledge of leadership theories, personal development, and collaboration strategies.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural settings, fostering inclusive and diverse leadership practices.
Strong cultural competency with individuals and groups from the U.S., Asia-Pacific, and diverse social identities.
Experience in coaching, peer coaching, and mentoring, with the ability to guide participants in personal leadership journeys.
Knowledge of personal leadership development practices and principles.
Excellent project management skills, with experience coordinating residential or immersive leadership programs, including logistics, participant engagement, and collaboration with external partners.
Familiarity with program design, delivery, and evaluation.
Ability to set priorities and work under the pressure of deadlines and competing demands.
Sensitivity and experience in providing evaluation and responses to written work.
Ability to provide feedback that supports participants’ development.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including participants, external partners, and community organizations.
Knowledge of office practices and procedures; of correct English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word usage; and of office machines and equipment.
Proficiency in computer programs (such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Professional and other equivalent applications).
Knowledge of online teaching and collaboration platforms using various virtual meeting programs (e.g. Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams).
Able to sit, walk or stand for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, operate standard office equipment, and use a phone; see and read a computer screen and printed matter with or without vision aids; read and understand rules and policies, labels, and instructions; and to hear, speak and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone.

Nice To Haves

A robust professional network in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in leadership and professional development sectors.
Experience with leading programs to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, design and development of action/business/project plans, and administration of small grants.
Ability to design and lead virtual leadership programs, including the use of online teaching and collaboration platforms.
Experience designing and developing programs for grant proposals and working on U.S. government grants and cooperative agreements.

Responsibilities

Designs, develops, and organizes customized curricula and learning experiences for cohort-based leadership capacity building programs.
Develops program content related to major regional issues and trends shaping the Asia-Pacific region, including technology and digital transformation, innovation and entrepreneurship, food and energy security, artificial intelligence, and peace and security.
Integrates leadership development approaches and practical skill-building activities that help participants navigate complex and rapidly changing environments.
Incorporates reflective and collaborative learning practices that strengthen participant engagement, communication, problem-solving, and cross-cultural understanding.
Identifies and integrates diverse educational approaches, including peer learning, workshops, case studies, site visits, simulations, mentoring, and dialogue-based activities.
Researches emerging regional issues, effective learning and leadership practices, and partnership opportunities to strengthen program relevance and participant experience.
Facilitates workshops, discussions, and experiential activities that encourage collaboration, reflection, and practical application of program concepts.
Guides and supports participants throughout the program experience, fostering engagement, peer learning, and application of program insights.
Cultivates respectful and constructive learning environments that support cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration.
Adapts facilitation approaches and activities in response to participant needs, program goals, and evolving group dynamics.
Leads implementation of program agendas and educational activities in collaboration with program operations and administrative staff.
Identifies, recruits, and coordinates with guest experts, facilitators, community partners, and institutional stakeholders to support program objectives and participant engagement.
Designs and leads study tours, field-based learning experiences, and site visits that connect program themes to regional and community contexts.
Supports virtual and in-person program delivery, ensuring effective coordination and alignment with program objectives.
Maintains collaborative relationships with alumni, partners, and stakeholders that support ongoing engagement and learning opportunities.
Develops and implements evaluation processes to assess participant experience, program effectiveness, and satisfaction.
Incorporates participant and stakeholder feedback to strengthen program quality and relevance.
Contributes to program reports, donor updates, participant summaries, and other communications related to program activities.
Designs and develops new initiatives and contributes to proposal development and related program materials.
Participates in Center-wide committees, staff activities, and collaborative initiatives as assigned.
Contributes to organizational learning, staff development, and related program activities.
Reviews and assesses candidate applications and selects qualified participants for Center programs.